Machine for gathering silk from cut corn.



No. 637,537. Pa'tented Nov. 2|, I899.

F. $.ULERY.

MACHINE FOR GATHERING SILK FROM GUT CORN.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 3 Shuts-Sheet l.

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No. 637,537. Patented Nov; 2|, I899. F. S. ULERY. MACHINE FOR GATHERINGSILK FROM CUT CORN.

A lication filed May 10, 1899.)

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No. 637,537. I PatentedNov. 2|, I899.

F. S. ULERY. MACHINE FOR GATHERING SILK FROM GUT CORN.

(Application filed Kay 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shegt 3,

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capacity thereof, and such mechanism also UNITED STATES FRANK S. ULERY,OF GARRISON, IOWVA.

MACHINE FOR GATHERING SILK FRO-M our coRN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N (5. 637,537, datedNovember 21,

Application filed May 10, 1899. Serial No. 716,281. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRANK S. ULERY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Garrison, in the county of Benton and State of Iowa, haveinvented a new and useful Machine for Gathering Silk from Cut Corn, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for gathering silk fromcorn, especially designed for use in can Hing-factories to subject corncut from the ear or cob to treatment for removing the silk and pieces ofhusk and ear from the cut corn previous to packing the latter in cansfor market.

Experience has shown that green corn when out from the cob contains moreor less of the corn-silk and that it is a difficult problem tothoroughly eliminate by mechanical appliances this silk in order toproduce ahigh grade of canned goods. I overcome these objections by theprovision of a simple and efficient machine which will collect andretain the fibers or strands of corn-silk to prevent the same frompassing with the green corn through the machine.

A further object is to provide means for effectuall y cleaning thecorn-silk from the silkcollecting mechanism, so that the latter is keptin a clean condition to secure maximum'efficiency in the operation ofthe machine.

A further object is to provide means for scattering and distributing thecut corn as it is fed to the machine in order to increase the servesincidentally as a means for collecting the silk fibers from the corn.

A further object is to provide means for collecting pieces of the huskand the cob from the cut corn and to discharge the same with the silkfibers into a common refuse-receptacle.

With these ends in view the invention consists'in the novel combinationof mechanisms and in the construction and arrangement of the severalparts constituting such mechanisms, all as will be hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

To enable othersto understand the invention, I have illustrated thepreferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of amachine for gathering corn-silk constructed in accordance with theprinciples of my invention and showing the frame or casing skeletonized;Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal sec tional View on a plane through thereciprocating distributer, looking in the direction indicated by thearrow, to show the endless collector-comb, having the plurality offingers or teeth, and on the line 3 3 ofFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a verticaltransverse sectional View on the plane indicated by the dotted line 44of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is adetail view of one toothed head of the endless collector-comb. Fig. 6 isa detail view in cross-section of the comb-head on the line 6 6 of Fig.5. Fig. '7 is a detail perspective view of'the grooved core-bar forminga part of the finger-head. Like numerals of reference denote like andcorresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

The frame or casing 10 of my improved ma chine may be of any suitableconstruction adapted to support the several operating mechanismsenteringinto the construction of a machine adapted to eliminate silk'fibers from out corn and to separate pieces of the husk and cob whichmay accidentally become commingled with the corn after cutting the samefrom the cob. I

One of'the important features of my machine resides in an endlesscollector-comb mechanism by which all or nearly all of the corn-silkwill be caught and retained as the cut corn is fed or dropped throughthe machine, and this collector-comb is positively propelled or drivenin order to travel in a horizontal path for the purpose of carrying thefingers or teeth which are loaded with the corn-silk away from thedescending stream of the out corn and to present clean fingers or teethinto the path of the dropping corn. The endless collector-comb of mymachine consists of a pair of endless link chains 12 13, a continuousseries of cross bars or heads 14, and a series of fingers or teeth 15,attached to the cross bars or heads 14. The link chains 12 13 of thecollector-comb are arranged in parallel positions and in the samevertical planes,and the cross bars or heads14 are arranged in verticalpositions between the horizontally-disposed pair of endless chains, theends of said cross bars or heads being fastened to corresponding linksof the endless chains in any suitable way. Each bar or head 14 has aseries of long fingers fastened securely thereto, and the series offingers are grouped or spaced on the vertical bars at proper intervalsfrom each other, while the bars or heads are arranged quite closetogether on the links of the endless chains. The endless comb mechanism11 is propelled positively from a vertical driving-shaft 16, which isjournaled in proper bearings at one end of the frame 10, and at theopposite end of said frame is a vertical idler-shaft 18, which isarranged parallel to the drivingshaft and is journaled in properbearings 19 on said frame. The driving and idler shafts 16 18 areprovided with sprocket-wheels 20, arranged in alinement and in positionsfor the purpose of engaging with the links of the endless chains forminga part of the collectorcomb 11,wlierebythe comb mechanism is supportedby said shafts and driven from one of the same.

A vertical partition 22 is fixed within the frame 10 in a plane to oneside of the driving and idler shafts, so as to lie between the sides ofthe endless collector'comb, and on one side of this partition or to apart of the frame 10 is secured a horizontal guide-rail 23, which liesin a plane between the link chains of the collector-comb. The cross barsor heads 14: of the collector-comb are provided with limiting-plates 24,which are fastened securely to said bars or heads on the opposite sideto the series of teeth thereon, and said limitingplates are arranged inplanes at right angles to the series of teeth on said bars or heads 14.This arrangement of the limiting-plate and series of teeth on each baror head of the endless collector-comb is an important feature of thispart of my invention, for the reason that the limiting-plates serve tocontrol the position of the series of teeth as they travel in horizontalpaths through the machine. \Vhen the endless comb mechanism is inservice and travels in the plane of a shakingdistributermechanis1n,presently described, the limitingplates 24 are adapted toride against the partition 22 for the purpose of holding the series ofteeth in positions at right angles to the partition and the plane ofdropping of the cut corn through the machine, so that the series ofteeth or fingers of the comb mechanism will be presented in properpositions to sweep through the path of the dropping corn in order tocatch and retain the fibers of cornsilkin the material as it gravitatesthrough the machine; but when the bars or heads of the comb mechanismare carried around one end of the partition and to the reverse sidethereof the limiting-plates 24 ride upon the guide-rail 23, which issituated within the vertical plane of the chains and on the rear side ofsaid endless chains forming a part of the comb mechanism, whereby thelimiting plates are adapted to ride on the guide-rail 23 in order tochange the positions of the bars or heads 14 and to incline the seriesof teeth or fingers 15 rearwardly to the path of travel of the endlesscomb mechanism. The front or working side of the collector-comb isconfined in close relation to the partition 22 by the cleats 25, whichare fixed to said partition in juxtaposition to the edges of the linkchains 12 13, and to these cleats are firmly secured the guide-plates26,which are adapted to confine the link chains laterally with respectto the partition 22. By the employment of the cleats and theguide-plates, as hereinbefore described, the link chains and thelimiting-plates of the collector-comb are confined in close relation tothe partition 22, and thus the limiting-plates are made to ride againstthe partition for the purpose of disposing the series of teeth orfingers 15 at right angles to said partition.

The cut corn is adapted to be dropped through a shaking-distributer 27,which is supported in a position above the path of the endlesscollector-comb, and this shaking-distributer is vibrated or oscillatedin a positive manner for the purpose of uniformly distributing the outcorn along only the working side of the comb mechanism, therebyincreasing the capacity of the machine for the performance of usefulwork. Said shaking-distributer consists of the horizontal rails 28 andof two series of fingers 3O 31, which are secured to the rails 28. Theseries of fingers converge downwardly toward the median line of thedistributer, thus giving to said distributer a V-shaped appearance incross-section, and the fingers 0f the distributer terminate on a planeabove the path of the uppermost fingers or teeth of the series offingers 15 on the collector-comb. The shaking-distributer is provided atits ends with the supportingstems 32, which are shown as attached to thehorizontal rails 28, and said stems are fitted slidably in guides 33,which are fixed to the upper part of the frame 10.

I will now proceed to describe the means for cleaning the corn-silkwhich may be collected by the series of teeth on the endlesscollector-comb, and the preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanismis an endless comb mechanism situated in a plane contiguous to theneutral or reverse side of the endless collector-comb, saidcleaning-comb being compelled to travel in a reverse direction to thecollector-comb and having fingers adapted to sweep through the intervalsor spaces between the collectingfingers when the latter are in theinclined positions on the rear side of the collector-comb. A verticaldrivingshaft 3&is journaled in bearings of the frame 10 at one side andin rear of a shaft 16, and

at a proper distance from this shaft 34 is an idle shaft 36, alsojournaled in the bearings of the frame and disposed parallel to and inthe same vertical plane with said shaft 34.

The two shafts are equipped with sprocketwheels 37 38, adapted toreceive the link chains of the endless cleaning-comb, and thedriving-shaft for said cleaning-comb is driven from the shaft 16 of thecollector through the medium of the sprocket-gear 39, fast to the shaft34, a sprocket-chain 40, and a sprocketwheel 41, fixed to said shaft 16,whereby the shaft 34 is driven positively in the same direction as theshaft 16 of the collector-comb. The cleaning-comb consists of a pair ofendless chains 42, a series of cross heads or bars 43, and a series ofcleaning-teeth 44 on each of the cross heads or bars. The endless chains42 are fitted into operative engagement with the sprocket-wheels 37 38of the shafts 34 36,

and the cross heads or bars 43 are secured at proper intervals to theseendless chains 42. The cleaning comb is considerably shorter than theendless collector-comb, and the toothed cross-heads 43 are fastened atgreater distances apart to the chains 42 than the cross-heads 14 arefastened to the link chains 12 13. This endless cleaner-comb issupported by the shafts in proper relation to the rear or neutral sideof the endless collector-comb, so that the series of cleaningteeth 44sweep through the spaces between the collector-teeth 15 on the endlesscollectorcomb when said collector-teeth occupy the in- .clined positionsrepresented more clearly by Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each cross head orbar of the cleaning-comb is provided with a limiting-plate 45, which isadapted to ride upon a horizontal rail 46, which is fixed to verticalbars 47 on the rails 48 of the frame 10, and this rail 46 thus lies in avertical plane between the front and rear sides of the endlesscleaning-comb and in a horizontal plane between the two endless chainsforming a part of the cleaning-comb mechanism. The limiting-plates arearranged to ride laterally against the rail 46 and in position to makethe teeth 44 assume positions at right angles to the plane of the rail46 in order that said cleaning teeth may properly sweep through theinclined comb-teeth for efiectually removing the corn-silk therefrom inorder to clean the endless collector-comb.

To assist in the operation of cleaning the collector-comb, I employ awiper 49, which is disposed in advance of the cleaning-comb and in thepath of the fingers forming a part of the collector-comb, whereby thecollector-fingers are adapted to impinge against the wiper as saidfingers travel around the sprocketgears on the shaft 16 to partly shakeoff the corn-silk from the collector-fingers by impact of the latteragainst said wiper. The wiper 49 is preferably of elastic material-as,for example, rubber-and this elastic surface is reinforced by a rod 50,which passes through the tubular wiper and is supported in brackets 51,secured firmly to the frame 10 in proper relation to the bearings of thedriving-shaft 16.

Another wiper is provided in my machine for the impingement of the teethand fingers on the cleaning-comb,and with the cross heads or bars andthe plates of this cleaning-comb mechanism is associated a spring whichserves to forcibly press the fingers of the cleaningcomb into contactwith the last-named wiper. The wiper 52 for the cleaning-comb consistsof a piece of elastic material, preferably doubled upon itself andhaving its edges confined between the members of a two-part clamping-bar53. The members of this clampin g-bar are secured together bythrough-bolts 53,'and the clamping-bar is fastened to arms 54 on theframe 10, which support the wiper in the path of the cleaning-fingers onthe rear or neutral side of the endless cleaning-comb. A spring 55 ofany suitable construction, preferably of the leaf-spring variety, isattached to the rider-rail 46 for the cleaningcomb mechanism, and thisspring 55 lies in the path of the limiting-plates 45 and is disposedopposite to the wiper 52 for the purpose of pressing against thelimiting-plates 45 to move the bars orheads 43 into positions for thecleaning-fingers to ride against the elastic wiper-surface 52, saidspring being yieldable for the plates 45 to assume positions where thefingers of the bars or heads 43 may properly pass said wiper-surface 52.

In my machine I employ a vibratory screen mechanism, which is disposedbelow the endless collector-comb and in the vertical plane of theshaking-distributor 27 for the purpose of receiving the cut corn afterit drops or falls through the machine, and this screen mechanism isadapted to separate the pieces of corn-husks and fragments of the cobsor ears from the desirable grains of corn. The screens of my inventionare carried by a shakingframe 56, which is suspended or slidablysupported below the collector-comb in any suitable or preferred way, andthis frame carries two screens, (indicated at 5'7 58,) the perforationsor meshes of which are of such size as to permit the green corn to passthrough said screens, while they'catch and retain the pieces of husksand fragments of the cob. These screens are inclined from the ends ofthe carrying-frame 56 toward the middle of the frame, thus making thescreens assume oppositelyinclined positions from the middle toward theends of said frame, and the screens are widened or offset at the innercontiguous ends thereof, as indicated at 59 in Fig. 6. The screens arethus disposed in the vertical plane of .the shaking-distributer 27 inorder that the material freed from the corn-silk may lodge upon thescreens, and the offset or extended portions 59 of these screens areprojected below the endless collector-comb, as partly represented byFig. 4. In addition to inclining the screens longitudinally of thecarrying-frame 56 the entire screen-frame is inclined laterally withrespect to the horizontal plane of the endless comb for the purpose ofdischarging the pieces of husk and corncob from the extended portions 59of the screens,whereby the desirable grain may pass 4 seats? through thescreens, while the fragments of refuse are discharged laterally fromsaid screens below the collector and cleaning mechanisms.

The means for driving the shaft 16 of the endless collector-comb may beof any approved construction; but, as shown by Figs. 1, 3, and 4 of thedrawings, I prefer to employ a horizontal power-shaft 60, which isjournaled in suitable bearings of the standards v 61, that are attachedto the framework or easing of the machine. This power-shaft is providedwith fast and loose pulleys 62 62, on either of which may be fitted thebolt 62, so that the machine may be thrown into or out of service. Thispower-shaft is geared to the shaft 16 through the intermeshingbevelgears 65 65, and this shaft 16 in turn drives the shaft 3t of theendless cleaner-comb through the sprocket-gearing hereinafter described,which sprocket-gearing should be arranged to drive the shaft 34 in amanner to propel the endless cleaner-comb in a reverse direction to theendless collector-comb.

The framework 10 of the machine is designed to be closed on the sides,ends, top, and bottom, and the sides of the casing may be parallel,while the ends thereof should be curved to inclose the fingers of thecollector and cleaning combs. The shaft 16 may protrude from the casingand be equipped with a suitable driving-pulley or bevel-gear for theapplication of power to the machine from a line-shaft or otherpower-transmitting appliance. The cleaned cornis deposited in andcollected bya corn box or receptacle 63, which is placed on the bottomof the machine below the shakingscreen mechanism. The corn-silk andother refuse from the cleaningcomb and shaking-screens are delivered into a refuse-box 64, which is disposed below the comb mechanism, thewipers, and the offsets 59 of the shaking-screen in order to receive thecorn-silk and refuse from these elements. I prefer to leave one side ofthe corn-box 63 open in order that the cleaned corn may be removedexpeditiously from the machine.

I will now proceed to describe the means by which the distributer andthe shaking-screen are operated; but it will be understood that Ido notdesire to strictly confine myself to the specific embodiment of thedriving mechanism to be described. The stems 32, which support thefinger-bars 28 of the distributer, are preferably of angular orpolygonal form, as shown by Fig. 1, in order to support the two seriesof fingers in their reversely-inclined positions, and said stems areslidably fitted in the guides 33, which are fixed to the frame, wherebythe guides and stems maintain the bars 28 and the fingers in theirproper relations. I prefer to employ a mechanism which willsimultaneously reciprocate the two finger-bars 28 in the same direction,and to this end the bars 28 are provided with horizontal arms 66, whichare extended laterally from the bars for suitable distances to receivethe inner ends of pitmen 67. These pitmen are disposed lengthwise of themachine to be driven by crank-disks 68, said disks having wrist-pins 69,on which are loosely fitted the outer ends of the pitmen 67. Thecrank-disks are fixed to the respective ends of a horizontaldriving-shaft 70, disposed at one end of the machine and mounted insuitable bearings 71, which are fixed either to the framework or thecasing. Said shaft is equipped with fast and loose pulleys 72 73, oneither of which may be fitted the belt 74, that is adapted to be shiftedby a suitable appliance from one pulley to the other. The shaft 70 isthus adapted to be positively driven for reciprocating the distributerthrough the pitmen 67, and this shaft is geared to another shaft, whichis adapted to impart reciprocating play or movement to the screenmechanism. On the shaft 70 is secured a sprocket-wheel 75, and belowsaid shaft is arranged another horizontal shaft 76, which liessubstantially in the plane of the reciprocating screen and is journaledin proper bearings 77, secured to the end of the machine-frame below thebearing 71 of the upper shaft 70. On the screen-operating shaft 76 isfixed a sprocket-wheel 78, which is dis posed in alinement with thesprocket-Wheel 75, (see Fig. 4,) and these two sprocket-wheels areconnected operatively by an endless chain 79, which transmits the motionof the shaft 70 to the screen-shaft 76. The screen-operating shaft 76 isprovided at its ends with crankdisks 80, adapted to rotate with saidshaft and provided with the wrist-pins 81, and to said wrist-pins arepivoted the upper ends of the pitmen 82, which have their inner endsfitted loosely on horizontal arms 83, which are fixed to thescreen-frame and project laterally from opposite sides thereof, asclearly shown by Fig. 4, whereby the rotary motion of the shaft 76 iscommunicated through the pitmen to the screen-frame to reciprocate thelatter in a horizontal path. It will be recollected that thisreciprocating screen-frame is adapted to carry the reversely-inclinedscreens 58, and the entire screen-frame, as well as the screens 58,supported therein, is inclined laterally or transversely, so that thescreens 58 will discharge the refuse sidewise into the refuse-receptacle64. To provide for this lateral inclination of the screen-frame and toslidably support the screen below the endless collector-comb,l employthe two pairs of slidearms 84, which are disposed on the respectivesides of the screen-frame and are arranged at different elevations, soas to permit of the transverse inclination of the screen-frame. Theslide-arms St are fixed to the skeleton supporting-frame within thecasing in positions on opposite sides of the screen-frame, and to thisscreen-frame are secured the plates 86, which are slidably fitted to thefixed slidearms in order to permit the screen to travel on theslide-arms when the shaft is rotated to reciprocate the pitmen 82.

One of the peculiar features of the invention is a novel construction ofthe head for each of the collector and cleaning comb mechanisms. Thishead is represented in detail by Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, and itconsists of a core and a yieldable clamp. The

core of the comb-head'is indicated by the' numeral 88, and it is ofangular form in crosssection and is peculiarly constructed to receivethe series of fingers and the pivotal rod. Said core is provided withangular grooves 89, which are formed in the faces of the core, and saidcore is also provided with a straight continuous longitudinal groove 90.The fingers are provided with bent ends 92, and said fingers are fittedin the grooves for the fingers to occupy the angular portions of thegrooves. The clamp 91 is arranged to embrace three sides of the squarecore, and through the longi tudinal groove 90 passes the rod whichserves to pivotally attach the head to the endless chains forming inpart the comb mechanism. The clamp 91 is constructed of elastic sheetmetal, so as to frictionally embrace the core and hold itself inposition against displacement thereon, and this clamp binds against thefingers and the angular ends thereof, so as to firmly retain the fingerswithin the core against displacement in any direction. By fitting theangular ends of the fingers in the grooves of the core said ends preventthe fingers from turning, and as the clamp embraces the ends of thefingers they cannot be forced endwise in either direction relatively tothe core, because the clamp prevents the fingers from moving in onedirection while the core prevents the fingers from moving in theopposite direction. The fingers are thus attached to the clamp in amanner to prevent any displacement of the parts, and the clamp mayeasily be detached for the operator to gain access to the fingers inorder to replace them in the event of injury thereto.

In operation the green corn is deposited in the path of the fingers onthe working side of the collector-comb. This comb mechanism is adaptedto sweep through the dropping corn in order to collect the corn-silktherefrom, and in this connection it is desired to state that thefingers of the shaking-distributer also collect in a measure thecorn-silk which is adapted to lodge upon the fingers of thecollectorcomb. The collector-comb is propelled for its fingers toimpinge against the Wiper 49 to partly remove the collected silk fromsuch fingers, and on the neutral or rear side of the collector-comb thelimiting-plates ride against the rail 23 to make said fingers assume theinclined positions for the cleaning-fingers of the endless cleaning-combto travel through the collector fingers. The cleaning comb is drivenpositively in a reverse direction to the collector-comb and the fingersof said cleaning-comb are adapted to be pressed against the wiper 52 inorder to remove the silk from the cleaning-comb. The grains of cornlodge upon the shaking-screen which catches the refuse, and said screenpermits the desirable grains of corn to pass through the same into thereceptacle 63, while the refuse is discharged from the screen into thebox 64, adapted also to receive the corn-silk from the wipers and thecleaning-comb.

It will be noted that allthe elements of my machine are kept in acleaned condition, thus increasing the capacity of the machine. Theseveral Working parts are driven at a slow speed, and hence the partsare not subjected to excessive friction and wear, thereby increasing thedurability of the structure. The machine itself can readily be cleansedin all of its parts by supplying water from a hose or other suitablesource of supply, and when the machine is in motion the water is adaptedto wash the various parts of "the machine in order to lessen theliability of sour corn being packed in the cans.

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and described thecollector-comb is adapted to be driven continuously;' but it is evidentthat suitable mechanism may be provided for intermittently propellingthe collector-comb.

The invention is represented as embracing a single collector-comboperating in connection with a distributer and a screen mechanism; but Ireserve the right to duplicate the collector-combs, to provide acleaning-comb for use in connection with the neutral side of eachcollector-comb, and to dispose the two collector-combs in operativerelation to a single screen mechanism.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and

the minor details of construction within the scope of the appendedclaims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In acorn-silk-gathering machine, a collector-comb mechanism having a seriesof pivoted fingered bars, and means for holding the pivoted bars inoperative positions as they traverse the space through which corn isdropped, combined with a cleaner mechanism having fingers arranged totraverse the fingers of the collector mechanism when they are inclinedtoinoperative positions, substantially as described.

2. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination with means fordropping corn, of an endless collector-comb having a plurality ofpivoted bars provided with fingers, means for holding the fingers in aplane at right angles to the path of the comb mechanism as said fingerssweep through the space below the distributer mechanism, and a fingeredcleaner mechanism contiguous to the neutral side of the collector-combto sweep through the latter while the fingers thereof are in inclinedpositions, substantially as described.

3. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, a fingered collector mechanismcomprising an endless carrier and fingers arranged in series andconnected pivotally with said carrier, in combination with means abovethe collector mechanism to drop corn through the path pursued by thefingers, guides for holding the collector-fingers at right angles to thecarrier as they travel beneath the corn-dropping means and also forpermitting the fingers to assume inclined positions on the rear side ofthe collector mechanism, and an endless cleanercomb arranged to traversethe spaces between the fingers of the collector -comb, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination of an endlesscollector-comb havinga plurality of pivoted bars each provided with aseries of fingers, means for dropping corn through the pathpursued bythe fingers on one side ofsaid comb, guide-plates attached to saidpivoted bars, rails arranged to one side of: the axis of thecollector-comb and holding the fingers of said comb on its working sideat right angles to the path of the comb and also permitting the fingerson the neutral side to assume inclined positions, and an endlesscleaning-comb having fingers which sweep through the space between theinclined fingers on the neutral side of the collectorcomb, substantiallyas described.

5. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination of an endlesscollector-comb having the pivoted fingers, means for holding the pivotedfingers in right-angular and inclined positions on the working andneutral sides respectively of the collector-comb, an endlesscleaner-comb mounted for its fingers to travel in a path contiguous toand parallel with the neutral side of the cleaner-comb, whereby thefingers of the cleaner-comb may sweep between the fingers of thecollector-comb, and

means for driving the cleaner-comb in an opposite direction to thecollector-comb, substantially as described.

6. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination of an endlesscollector-comb having the series of pivoted fingers, a cleaningcombmovable in an opposite direction to the collector-comb and disposedcontiguous to the neutral side thereof for the cleaning-fingers totraverse the collector-comb, and means for holding the pivoted fingersof the collectorcomb in inclined positions during the travel of thecleaning-fingers therethrough, substantially as described.

7. In a corn-silk-gathcring machine, the combination of an endlesscollector-comb, an endless cleaner-comb contiguous thereto, and a wiperdisposed in the path of the fingers of the colleetor-comb and in advanceof the cleaning-comb, subtautially as described.

8. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, an endless collector-combconsisting of a series of bars provided with fingers or teeth and saidbars pivotally supported on suitable endless chains, a limiting-plateattached to each pivoted bar, and guides against which thelimiting-plates are adapted to ride, the combination with a distributormechanism above the path of the fingers on the working side of thecollector-eomb, and an endless cleaner-comb contiguous to the neutralside of said colleetor-comb and adapted tocooperate therewith when thecollector-fingers assume inclined posit-ions, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination of an endlesscollector-comb, an endless cleanencomb mounted to travel in a pathparallel to the collector-comb and having pivoted fingers arranged totraverse the collector-comb on the rear side thereof, fixed andyieldable guides supported within the leads of the collector-comb anddisposed in the path of the pivoted fingers thereof, and a wipersupported in rear of the collector-comb and in the path of its fingers,substantially as described.

10. In a eorn-silk-gathering machine, the combination of a collectormechanism, an endless cleaner-comb in operative relation to thecollector mechanism and having toothed heads provided withlimiting-plates, a wiper lying in the path of said heads on thecleaning-comb, and aspring device arranged to ride against thelimiting-plates of the cleaningcomb, substantially as described.

11. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, the combination with asilk-collector mechanism, of an endless cleaning-comb in operativerelation thereto and provided with limitingplates on the toothed headsthereof, and a rider-rail against which the limiting-plates are adaptedto travel, substantially as described.

12. A eorn-silk-gathering machine comprisin g an endless fingeredcollector-comb, a horizontal screen-frame arranged in a plane below thefingers on the working side of the collector-comb, and theindividually-removable screens mounted in the same screen-frame andabutting against each other at their inner ends, said screens beingcorrespondingly inclined reversely one to the other longitudinally ofthe screen-frame and each screen being also inclined transversely acrosssaid screen-frame toward a common dischargepoint, whereby the refusecollected by the screens is directed toward one side of the screen-frameand discharged from the middle thereof, substantially as described.

13. A corn-silk-gathering machine comprisin g an endless fingeredcollector-comb, a horizontal screen-frame arranged below the fingers onthe working side of the collector-comb, the guides secured to themachine-frame on opposite sides of the screen-frame and in positionsparallel with the path of travel of the fingers on said collector-comb,keepers fast with the screen-frame and fitted slidably to the guides, ascreen carried by the screenframe and movable therewith in a pathparallel to the line of travel of the collector-comb, and means forgiving endwise movement to the screen-frame, substantially as described.

14. In a eorn-silk-gathering machine, the combination with an endlesscollector-comb,

of a horizontal distributer slidably mounted above and in the samevertical plane as the fingers on the working side of the collectorcomb,said distributer having two series of fingers made fast with a frame andsaid fingers inclined downwardly in reverse directions and occupyingfixed relations one to the other, and means for reciprocating thedistributer and its fingers bodily in a path parallel to that of thecollector-comb, substantially as described.

15. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, a comb mechanism having a headconsisting of a core, a series of fingers fitted to said core, a pivotalshaft also fitted to the core, and a clamp for retaining the fingers andthe pivotal shaft in engagement with the core, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a corn-silk-gathering machine, a comb mechanism having a headconsisting of a core provided with angular grooves, a pivotal shaft, thebent fingers fitted in said grooves of the core, and a clamp whichfrictionally engages with the core and the shaft to confine the fingersin position thereon, substantially as described.

17. In a corn -silk gathering machine, a comb mechanism having a headcomprising a core having a series of angular grooves and a longitudinalgroove, a pintle-rod fitted in the longitudinal groove, a series of bentfingers occupying the angular grooves, and a clamp fashioned tofrictionally grip three sides of the core and confine the fingers andthe pintlerod in the grooves thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

F. S. ULERY.

Witnesses:

J. S. STANLEY, J. W. BREWER.

